History stands on the brink

It is 1775. The War of American Independence is about to erupt, with the 13 American colonies set to turn against the British in a fierce battle to secure their freedom. Yet this is a very different war from the American Revolution you see in history books: Assassin’s Creed III on PlayStation 3 reveals the untold story of one man: Connor Kenway.

Through the eyes of a deadly assassin, you’ll see men such as George Washington, the first president of the United States, lead their country to a bright new future and become heroes of American history. You play as Connor Kenway, the son of a Native American mother and a British father, whose village was burned to the ground by the Templars, a powerful group seeking to use the Revolution to take control of the colonies.

Now you will do whatever it takes to track down those who threaten America’s liberty. Stalking your enemies across great wildernesses and the bustling cities of New York and Boston, you’ll adapt to the situation in front of you. Kill silently or unleash lethal weapons in open combat, and avenge the destruction of your home by helping to build a new country.

America the beautiful

Fight for freedom, or play board games in a tavern? Even when you step away from the front line, Assassin’s Creed III is one of the richest, most atmospheric games on PS3. No matter how you choose to spend your time, it really does feel like 1775.

British and American accents mingle with the sounds of horses' hooves on cobbled streets, town criers announce news of battles along the frontier and music drifts through the air. Look out for vantage points on top of the tallest buildings, where you’ll get a spectacular, bird’s-eye view of your surroundings. You’ll see soldiers marching through town, and maybe even spot a young thief stealing fresh fruit.

Connect your PS3 to a stereoscopic 3D TV and the game becomes even more alive. Later in the game, when you take command of your own ship, rolling waves and enemy cannon fire appear to explode out of the screen.

The world around you can sometimes seem like a whirlwind of information, so catch your breath by checking out the Animus Database. Key moments and characters are explained; you can then re-enter the battlefield armed with new knowledge and enjoy your crucial role in America’s story.

Revolution’s in the air

In a country full of cold-hearted traitors, bloodthirsty generals and deadly wild animals, slip into Connor Kenway’s boots and become the ultimate predator. When it comes to freedom for your people, no one will stand in your way.

Hopping between rooftops, free-running through forests and hiding blades and pistols underneath your assassin’s robes, you make an impressive warrior – and you’ll need all of your skills to give British soldiers, not to mention the shadowy Templars, the slip. As tensions reach boiling point in a snowy Boston, for instance, you are framed for starting a riot. To become anonymous again, you’ll need to bribe town criers to forget your name and blend in with market traders.

Tread carefully in this time of suspicion to coolly home in on your targets. Then, when you make your kill, you can vanish into the city or countryside, ready to plot your next move. Hide bodies, watch your map for enemy patrol routes and use your special Eagle Vision to spot secret passages and valuable loot.

Sometimes, you can’t avoid an explosive confrontation. Thanks to your lightning fast reflexes, you can take on several enemies at once, blocking and countering to deliver swift, fatal blows. Whether at sea in a mighty warship, or on land among soldiers and civilians, use your devastating hunter’s instincts to stop the Templars once and for all.

Wanted, dead or alive

Topple the Templars, then put your finely honed skills to the test against ruthless opponents via PlayStation Network in Assassin’s Creed III’s multiplayer modes. Each map is big enough to put your deadly tactics into action, yet compact enough that enemies could be just around the corner, waiting to pounce. You’ll switch from hunter to hunted in an instant in these modes:

Wanted: Eliminate your assigned target with as much style as possible to boost your score – watch out for the assassins on your tail, determined to do the same to you.

Manhunt: Wipe out your rivals or evade detection as part of a team of four to eight assassins.

Deathmatch: This is all about brutal survival. Take out your targets in a small area without the help of a compass and, above all, don’t panic.

Artefact Assault: Sneak into an enemy team’s territory, steal their prized treasure and smuggle it back to your base in one piece.

Domination: Team up, capture territory and fight off invading assassins.

Assassinate: Stay calm, remain unseen and try to locate your target before you become your rivals’ next victim.

Wolfpack: Work with your team to battle waves of troops within a tight time limit.